Pigeons are ubiquitous birds that can be found in urban and rural environments across the world. They are adaptable omnivores and will eat a variety of food items including seeds, grain, bread, and leftovers discarded by humans. Pigeons have become dependent on food provided by humans and seem to have preferences for certain food types. This article explores what foods pigeons like the most based on scientific research and observations by experts and the general public. Understanding pigeon food preferences can help guide approaches for appropriately feeding flocks in public spaces and minimizing problems.
The natural diet of pigeons
Pigeons are members of the bird family Columbidae and in the wild primarily eat fruit, seeds, greens, and insects. Their natural diet consists of:
Fruit
Wild pigeons often feed on berries and soft fruits like figs, mulberries, juniper berries, bay laurel drupes, and hackberries. They digest fruits quickly and the sugar provides them energy. Pigeons have a crop organ that produces a milky secretion called crop milk that is used to feed their young. Carotenoids that produce red, yellow, and orange pigments in many fruits may contribute to the nutritious crop milk.
Seeds
Seeds from plants and trees form a major part of the natural diet of wild pigeons. Common seeds consumed include grains from wheat, buckwheat, rice, oats, and corn. Pigeons have also been observed eating seeds from cabbage, spinach, pine, spruce, and many other plants. Their sturdy beaks allow them to easily crack open hard seeds.
Greens
Pigeons eat leafy greens like kale, cabbage, clover, lettuce, spinach when available. Wild pigeons graze on land and water greens that provide nutrition and variety to their diet.
Insects
While not the main component, pigeons do consume insects like caterpillars, beetles, flies, and spiders to obtain protein. Adult and baby pigeons both eat insects which are rich in protein and nutrients needed for development. Some key vitamins and minerals obtained from insects include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and Vitamin B12.
Pigeon diets in urban environments
In cities, parks, and suburban areas, pigeons have adapted well to living alongside humans and eating discarded or available foods. Their diets evolve based on the geographical area and feeding by residents. The high caloric density of foods offered by humans may be a strong reason why pigeons congregate in urban and suburban areas.
Bread
Bread is one of the most common foods deliberately offered to pigeons in public spaces or left as litter. Bread is energy dense and contains carbohydrates and some protein. However, white processed bread lacks the full assortment of vitamins and minerals pigeons receive from their natural diet. Bread is often readily available which makes it an appealing easy meal for pigeons.
Popcorn, chips, pretzels, peanuts
Pigeons are drawn to starchy, high calorie foods that people commonly eat as snacks at parks and outdoor areas. Popcorn, chips, pretzels, and peanuts offered by human feeders or scavenged as litter provide energy density to pigeons. However, these foods should only be a small part of a pigeon’s diet. Too much can lead to malnutrition if they miss key nutrients.
Fast food
Pigeons adapted to urban living have been documented eating discarded fast food such as fries, fried chicken, pizza crust, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, taco shells, rice, and noodles. These foods may contain more protein from meat and dairy than their natural diets. However, the high fat and seasoning content of fast food makes them unhealthy. Many fast food items lack the vitamins, minerals, and fiber pigeons require for optimal health.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable waste from restaurants, groceries, and residential areas provide nutrients when pigeons can access them. Pigeons favor fruits like apples, pears, tomatoes, berries, and melons. Vegetables pigeons commonly pick through include lettuce, spinach, peas, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, beans, and grains like rice, pasta, and oats. Fruit and vegetable leftovers supplement pigeons natural plant-based diet.
Experiments analyzing pigeon food preferences
Controlled scientific studies have been conducted to specifically identify seed and grain varieties that pigeons prefer when offered choices. These experiments help highlight key features of foods that pigeons find appealing.
1981 study on seed preferences
A seminal study in 1981 by Dr. Alan Bond tested the seed preferences of pigeons from a previous experiment where the birds were fed nothing but grains. In the 2-choice test, pigeons showed the following preferences:
Seed | Percent preferred |
---|---|
White millet | 96% |
Hemp | 93% |
Red millet | 92% |
Cracked corn | 91% |
The highest preferred seeds were small with the absence of hulls. Millet and hemp seeds have had hulls removed. The study noted that red millet was enjoyed for its contrasting color from the other light seeds.
2018 study on grain preference
A study by Japanese researchers published in 2018 examined the grain preferences of feral pigeons from 14 different feeding sites. The grains offered were:
Grain |
---|
Wheat |
Corn |
Millet |
Barley |
Rice |
Oats |
The study measured the amounts of grains eaten at each site. The results showed pigeons preferred wheat and corn the most, followed by millet and rice. Barley and oats were the lowest preferred. The researchers noted the high starch content and palatability of wheat and corn likely drive pigeon preference.
Observations of pigeon feeding behavior
In public spaces where pigeons congregate like parks and plazas, interested observers have noted the types of foods pigeons actively seek out. Some key observations include:
Seeking bread and bird seed
When available, pigeons are very drawn to areas where people distribute bread, bird seed mixes, popcorn or other snacks. Pigeons seem to expect food in locations with regular feeding. They actively flock to foods they have received before in a location.
Foraging behavior
Pigeons exhibit foraging behavior scanning the ground for potential food items. They pick up and taste crumbs, garbage and unknown food sources. This allows pigeons to constantly evaluate new food sources.
Preference for sodium rich foods
Many people notice pigeons eating scraps like chips, pretzels, and popcorn over other Potential foods. These foods have added salt and seasonings that appear to appeal to pigeon tastes.
Softness and accessibility
Pigeons gravitate towards softer foods they can easily digest over hard items. Foods like cut up fruit, cooked rice or oatmeal, yogurt drops, bread are simple for pigeons to pick up and swallow versus hard seeds requiring husking. Easy access to food waste from garbage cans increases feeding opportunities.
Impact of diet on pigeon health
The diet pigeons consume in urban areas affects their nutrition, development, and overall health. Key impacts include:
Obesity
Eating calorie dense, high carb foods like bread, chips, and fries increases the risk of obesity in pigeons just like humans. Excess fat negatively impacts organ function and mobility for flight needed to evade predators.
Malnutrition
Diets high in processed snacks and low on fruits, vegetables, seeds/grains creates vitamin and mineral deficiencies over time. Lack of key nutrients impairs pigeon immune systems.
Angel wing
Angel wing is a condition where a pigeon’s last wing feathers point out laterally instead of against the body. It impairs flight. Research indicates angel wing results from nutritional imbalance during growth, particularly diets low in vitamin E and manganese.
Mortality rates
Studies of urban pigeon mortality related to malnutrition indicate pigeons die prematurely from organ failure when lacking vitamins A, E, K, B2, and calcium. Lifespans average 2-3 years instead of 5-10 years in natural habitats.
Diseases
Poor nutrition compromises pigeon immune function. Flock living promotes transmission of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases that can multiply and kill pigeons in urban populations.
Health risks of pigeon droppings
The food pigeons eat affects the safety of areas where they congregate because their droppings can transmit diseases. Key facts on health risks include:
Histoplasmosis
Pigeon droppings can harbor the fungal disease Histoplasmosis which causes flu, pneumonia, and breathing problems in humans if inhaled. It thrives in nitrogen-rich droppings from protein-heavy foods.
Psittacosis
Psittacosis is a bacterial disease pigeons can transmit to humans that causes fever, chills, headaches, rashes. Pigeons acquire it by eating infected bird droppings.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite sometimes present in pigeon droppings that can cause flu symptoms. Pigeons get infected eating food contaminated with feline feces.
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease associated with pigeon droppings that causes lung and brain lesions in humans. Pigeons likely contract it from food sources.
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds including pigeons. Pigeons do not transmit the virus directly but an area with sick pigeons indicates West Nile Virus activity.
Recommendations for feeding pigeons
People wanting to feed pigeons should offer foods that match their natural diet as closely as possible. Recommendations include:
Seeds and grains
Provide mixed bird seed or pigeon feed mixes with millet, cracked corn, hemp, safflower, peas, brown rice, oats, wheat, barley. Avoid stale seeds.
Fruit and vegetables
Offer fresh produce like broccoli, kale, berries, apples, melons, squash, peas, greens. Chop larger fruits/veggies to enable eating.
Calcium-rich foods
Supplement with calcium sources like crushed eggshells, oyster shell grit, chicken layers mash. Cuttlebone provides needed calcium and helps wear down beaks.
Fresh water
Provide clean drinking water sources. Change water daily to avoid spread of fungal diseases.
Population control
Do not overfeed flocks as excess food causes populations to concentrate and expand. Overcrowding increases disease transmission to pigeons and humans.
Reduce bread feeding
Avoid feeding white bread or moldy bread. Control portions of nutritious whole grain breads to minimize impact on pigeon health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pigeons are highly adaptable omnivores that consume a wide variety of food discovered in urban environments. While pigeons appear least picky and will eat almost anything, scientific studies reveal they prefer high energy dense foods like corn, wheat, millet, and nutritionally deficient “snack” foods discarded by humans. These foods may support larger pigeon populations, but also increase the spread of diseases. Maintaining pigeon health and public safety is best achieved by offering balanced diets dominated by their natural food types. Bird seed mixes, fresh produce, and healthy leftovers most closely replicate their wild diets. While attracted to the easy calories of junk food, pigeons thrive on diverse foods that provide a rich blend of nutrients. Following these feeding recommendations allows pigeon feeding in a safer, sustainable manner.